Partner Charities
Youth World
Mission:
We believe relationships are key to seeing transformation in a child’s life. When you give time at Youth World we can say “Yes!” to one more child
Address:
1121 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas, TX 75232
Our Story:
The summer of 1998 LaToya walked into our run down, dilapidated warehouse and said, “One day when I grow up I’m going to move out, make some money and shop at K-Mart.”
In that moment I knew that LaToya still had HOPE, something many of the 7 year olds in the room had already lost. LaToya lived in the rundown apartments across the street and her mom was a prostitute. Her dream of shopping at K-Mart was an everyday reality for my daughter.
Every child has a place in this world, and I knew that if people like you and me didn’t step up to make a difference in their lives they would give up hope. So Youth World opened its doors in the highest juvenile crime, lowest-family income area of Dallas so that little heart’s like LaToya’s could dream, learn, and live in the power of HOPE.
LaToya still had hope.
Darla Shirley, Executive Director
S.M. Wright Foundation
Mission:
The S.M. Wright Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides support and stability to inner-city, underprivileged children and less fortunate families through hunger relief, educational support, health promotion, social service assistance, and economic empowerment. Our goals are to move families from dependency to self-sufficiency and to restore stability to families and the community.
Address:
9213 Sovereign Row Dallas, Texas 75247
Our Story:
The Wright Family established the S.M. Wright Foundation in 1998. Our mission is to provide support and stability to underprivileged children and less fortunate families through hunger relief, economic empowerment, and assistance in the areas of education, health and social services. We are unique among social services organizations, because we carry out our mission on a daily basis in our community, providing hope, encouragement, and assistance to families in need. With inflation increasing rapidly and the income inequality gap widening, many families continue to need assistance to make ends meet.
The foundation offers two types of service. Community events include the Annual Back-to-School Event (1,000+ attendees annually), the Thanksgiving Day Feast (3,000+ attendees annually), and the Christmas in the Park Celebration (40,000+ attendees annually). Our community agency centers include the South Dallas Community Food Center, the South Dallas Education Center, the South Dallas Clothing Center, the Beds for Kids Center of North Texas, the North Texas Furniture Bank, and the Foundation Business and Investment Club. The S.M. Wright Foundation has been delivering social services to those in need for over 22 years. Working together, we can continue to make our communities a better place to live and develop programs that address the educational and social needs of local families.
SOUTH DALLAS COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
3119 Pine Street Building I Dallas, Texas 75215
Phone: (214) 565-9136
SOUTH DALLAS CLOTHING CENTER
3202 Pine Street Dallas, Texas 75215
Phone: (214) 565-9136
G.I.F.T.4.S Academy – (Michael Finley Foundation)
Mission:
To provide students and their families with fundamental skills and tools to achieve their personal and professional objectives. The G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy is a 3-week intensive program for students in grades 3rd through 8th. The Academy focuses on the core subjects, computer literacy, health and wellness, and fine arts. In addition, parents participate in educational workshops ranging from financial literacy to parenting skills. Qualified teachers, counselors, coaches, volunteers, and staff provide the information to help participants and their families achieve a high level of excellence. An interview with the student and parent will be scheduled for a later date after the application is processed. *A one time $25 application fee is required prior to acceptance into The Academy.
Address:
P.O. Box 560823
The Colony, TX 75056
Our Story:
WHAT WE DO
We deliver on our mission through the G.I.F.T.4.S. Academy; which empowers children to perform better in school, graduate, and become engaged community members.
OUR PROMISE
We are committed to being exceptional stewards of our donors’ generous contributions, ensuring all resources are utilized to the maximum benefit of our community.
“I created the foundation to empower children and their families to unlock incredible results through education and life skills training.”
– Michael Finley
Founder, President, NBA All-Star & World Champion
Our staff of certified teachers, counselors, and coaches, not only focus on core academics, but also health and wellness, athletics, fine arts, and the development of social skills that are critical to lasting success.
Ronald McDonald House
Mission:
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) is keeping families together, inspiring strength, and giving love and support to families whose children are receiving essential medical care.
Address:
9213 Sovereign Row Dallas, Texas 75247
Our Story:
In an effort to lessen the burden, reduce stress, keep the family intact, and enhance the quality of life for these families, RMHD provides temporary housing in a caring home-like atmosphere. Ronald McDonald House program was built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child – not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal, or where they will lay their head at night to rest. Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is keeping families together, inspiring strength, and giving love and support to families whose children are receiving essential medical care.
How We Fulfill Our Mission:
• We provide a place to stay for no cost.
• We serve the entire family with space for up to five family members in each room.
• We serve three meals a day for every resident generously donated and prepared by community group volunteers.
• Regular shuttle runs provide transportation to nearby hospitals.
• Volunteers are essential to creating a warm environment where families are taken care of and feel at home.
• We offer a host of services and activities to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
• We connect families with other people who care and understand what you’re going through.
• We partner with community and corporate sponsors to fund the portion of each night’s stay not covered by the family’s contribution.